Tethered Test Satellite, also called TSS (Tethered Satellite
System)
Launch data:
| Designation | 92049 |
|
Launch
date
| 30 Jul 1992
|
| Launch site | KSC, LC-39B |
| Launch vehicle |
Shuttle STS-46 |
|
Mission |
Scientific
|
| Earth orbit on: |
| Perigee / Apogee | km |
| Eccentricity | |
| Inclination | deg |
| Period | min |
To test power production (by induction). The satellite couldn't be deployed
properly on
STS 46
(only a few hundred meters).
Specifications
|
Prime
contractor
|
Aeritalia
|
|
Operator
|
CNR/PSN/NASA
|
|
Mass
at launch
|
518
kg
|
|
Payload
mass
|
66
kg
|
|
Diameter
|
1.6
m
|
|
Stabilization
|
Gravity
gradient
|
|
DC
power
|
180-200
W
|
|
Design
lifetime
|
10
missions
|
Payload: instruments to measure electrodynamic properties of the ionosphere,
magnetic fields and plasma
Tether (diameter: 2.54 mm) made from Kevlar sheated in Nomex with insulated
copper-wire core
Ref: #15 - update: 27.10.04